The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-03
Investment.

amaZement maze MS young Wlle spring
hastily to her feet. She had not heard
him come in and was kneeling beside
great armchair, sobbing as if her heart
would break.
"Oh, Walter" she said. "Aunt
julia and fresh burst of sobs in
terrupted her.
Walters face cleared 1t was not
sorrow of her own, then, that over
whelmed this pretty, blue-eyed darling
he had married six months before.
"Well, Elsie," he said, taking her in
his arms and caressing her, "what has
happened to Aunt Julia? Do not sob
so, dear; you will make yourself ill.,"
sThe fire!n said Elsie, keeping her
sobs somewhat more under control.
" You know | was very much worried
when / first heard of it, for / could not
tell by the papers whether Aunt Julia's
house was in the burned district or not"
For the great Chicago fire was not
week old, and the whole country was
waiting for news.
"Well, DEAR" said Walter, kindly.
&C 1t is as bad as it can be, Walter.
Aunt Julia writes me that her house
was totally destroyed, her very cloth
ing burned up, and her insurance
papers not entirely made out. She is
absolutely without anything in the
world except the clothes she had on.
Actually fed by charity. Oh, WalterW
Here the sobs came again, thick and
fast, and Walter could offer no COM
fort but such as was conveyed by silent
caresses. After time these were so
far effectual that Elsie could speak
more calmly.
"Now, little one," Walter said, Z" tell
me why this troubles you so sorely.
Do you love your aunt so dearly?'
"She has been everything a mother
could be to me since my parents died,
Walter. But while l was with her we
were very poor. Out of her own
scanty means she fed, clothed and edu-
Gated me until took the situation of
nursery governess to your aunt's chill
dren and married you. But Just before
we were married an old friend of aunt
Julia's died in Chicago and left her
$4,000. When she went to claim her
legacy she saw the house she pur-
chased and liked it so much she
bought it, her legacy covering the eX-
pense of the house, lot and furniture,
while her own little income would sup
port her. But unfortunately she was
persuaded to draw out her tiny fortune
and invest it in two lots adjoining her
house. Now everything has been swept
away"
"She took care of you when you
were child?"
% For seventeen years, Walter, deny
ing herself to feed and clothe me-"
Walter did not speak again for many
minutes, holding Elsie close in his
arms. AT last he said, very gravely:
If ! were rich man, Elsie, | would
not stop to think in a case like this,
but say at once, Bring your aunt here.
But you know, little wife, my salary,
though sufficient for all our wants,
with margin for pleasure and saving
nest-egg, is yet not large If invite
your aunt here the difference of eX-
penses must fall most heavily on you
because | cannot give you many pleas
ures that you now enjoy if | have one
more to support. Concerts and jewelry
little gifts and pleasures will be be-
You'd our means then. But if you will
be happier knowing your aunt has a
home | will 90 myself to Chicago and
bring her here"
sob, Walter, how kind, how gener-
Gus you are! l will never be able tc
thank you"
"Then | am to 90. All right.
will get a leave of absence tomorrow
In the meantime l will telegraph YOU
aunt to meet me at the depot if she
has sent any address,"
"The address is the lawyers who ar
ranged the legacy for her and who did
IN bo I'd Il r; 4
Hunter"
A few days later, as fast as steam
would carry Walter to Chicago ant
back, Elsie was waiting to welcome thu
travellers. a telegram had informed he
that Walter had found Aunt Julia wait
ing in the depot and by what train tC
expect him home. The only spare
room in the pretty little house at Har
lem, where Walter had brought hi;
bride, was in dainty order. Jennie, TIN
servant, was cooking the choicest sup
per Elsie could devise, and the little wifi
herself, neatly dressed, was running to
the door every minute watching for tn,
carriage.
1t came at last, and Walter handle,
out lady. Poor Elsie felt fairly sick
as the guest tottered rather than walked
into the room. She was as white a
ashes, her hair, which Elsie remembers,
black as a coal not one year before
streaked with gray, and her eyes sunkel
as if with long illness. When tn
waterproof cloak fell from her shoul
ders her shabby dress was most unlik
Aunt Julia's habitual neatness. But tn
first shock of surprise over, Elsie ha
no words too loving 10 welcome he
aunt, while soft, tender kisses fell fas
upon the pale face.
"She is very tired, Elsie" Waite
whispered, seeing how vainly the whit
lips tried to frame words. "Get her t
bed, dear, as soon as you can"
SO Elsie, tearfully, lovingly mad
her aunt lie down on the lounge, an
then brought her the most tempting {
tea-trays, stopping the words of thank
by kisses and caresses. Walter, too
by hundred delicate attentions and fe
spoken words made the guest feel thu
she was most cordially and gladly we
come.
In her own room Aunt Julia tol
Elsie something of the horrors that ha
aged her more in one fortnight tina
during any previous two years of h'
life. She had slept upon the ground
drenching rain for two nights, the